The coastal fish stocks in Norway are under pressure and we need to increase our efforts to ensure that future generations will also be able to enjoy fishing as a sport or recreation in Norway. The fish in the sea are free for all, but we have a goal to safeguard fish stocks for the future.
You are therefore very welcome to fish for free in Norwegian sea waters, provided that you follow a set of simple rules:
- Respect the minimum fish sizes.
- Foreign tourists may only use handheld tackle when fishing in the sea. Tourists are not permitted to make use of nets, pots, traps, lines etc.
- Tourists are permitted to take up to 10 kg of fish out of the country, but if you fish under the direction of a registered tourist fishery business you can bring up to 20 kilos. (Note that you have to leave Norway for seven days before you can come back and take a new export quota out of the country.)
- This export-restriction does not apply for tourists who buy directly from commercial fishermen.
- Freshwater fish such as salmon, trout and char are exempt from the limit.
- You must keep a distance of more than 100 metres from the closest fish farm when fishing. All boat traffic shall keep a distance of at least 20 metres from fish farms and moorings for fish farms.
- Foreign tourists are not permitted to sell the fish they catch.
- Eel and spiny dogfish are preserved species in Norway.
The Directorate of Fisheries is happy to answer any questions in English, Russian or Norwegian. Contact us by email at info@fiskeridir.no.